European Cities Marketing launches first edition of ECM Summer School 2.0 online in August

European Cities Marketing (ECM) is launching the first edition of the ECM Summer School 2.0, which will take place online 24-26 August, 2020. The Summer School is an executive dialogue for advanced professionals and attendees will take a deep dive into the world of the meetings industry and focus on clients and suppliers with the aim to kick off a smart and sustainable recovery. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the network of 120+ European DMMOs and CVBs have been deploying digital initiatives and crucial support for members and, for 33 years, the ECM Summer School has been a flagship event. This year, however, it won’t be a physical event but the online Summer School will include a rich list of alumni. “As ECM, we believe, that the need for strategic destination and meeting management is greater than ever before. In the post corona world, the meetings industry has a crucial role as a socio-economic facilitator and (co-)innovator. Therefore, it is imperative for ECM to help members align their own strategic agenda with new demands, challenges and opportunities. We aim to bring the industry closer, share perspectives for #aNewTomorrow and strengthen networks in those challenging times when collaboration is key,” says Petra Stusek, ECM president. The Summer School online with include three half-day sessions dedicated to strategic outlooks for the meetings industry, understanding the world of clients and suppliers, and moving towards a smart and sustainable recovery. The faculty are all members or partners of ECM and give their time on a voluntary basis. They include: Carina Bauer (CEO, IMEX Group); Guy Bigwood (MC & chief changemaker, Global Destinations Sustainability Movement and GuBi Consulting; Barbara Jamison (head of business development Europe, London & Partners); Sam Johnston (manager Convention Bureaux of Ireland); Silke Lauermann (category procurement manager for marketing & travel, SAP); Heike Mahmoud (CMP, chief operating officer, CCH – Congress Center Hamburg); Pier Paolo Mariotti (CMM, CMP, meeting manager, EURAC Research Bolzano – course director); Christian Mutschlechner (member of the board of directors, Congrex Switzerland, former director of Vienna Convention Bureau); Miguel Neves (CMP, chief social strategist, Miguelseven.com) and Dennis Speet (chief operating officer, ICCA).